Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney headline Ashes audition ahead of Sheffield Shield season
Test batters Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney will have an early run in the looming Ashes bat-off after being named for the Australian A tour of India.
Australian chief selector George Bailey announced two squads on Thursday, a red-ball and a white-ball squad, for next month’s subcontinent series.
The Aussies will play five games against India, starting on September 16 and finishing in early October.
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Bailey said upcoming subcontinent tours were front of mind when picking the squad but made note of players returning in time for the start of the Sheffield Shield season.
“The subcontinent provides many unique challenges and the opportunity to utilise different skills with bat and ball,” Bailey said.
“We hope repeated experiences in these conditions will assist players in developing an effective method and understanding of their game for future subcontinent tours.
“For many of these players we remain interested in the development of their short-form cricket as well, but balancing out priorities meant we wanted them back and available for the start of the Sheffield Shield season.”
The white-ball series will provide opportunity to a host of Australia’s up-and-comers, including Harry Dixon, Lachie Shaw and Tom Straker.
Out-of-form youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk will also get an opportunity to regain touch on pitches he has relished in the past.
Australia A (four-day squad):
Xavier Bartlett
Cooper Connolly
Jack Edwards
Aaron Hardie
Campbell Kellaway
Sam Konstas
Nathan McSweeney
Lance Morris
Todd Murphy
Fergus O’Neill
Oliver Peake
Josh Philippe
Corey Rocchiccioli
Liam Scott
Australia A (one-day squad):
Cooper Connolly
Harry Dixon
Jack Edwards
Sam Elliott
Jake Fraser-McGurk
Aaron Hardie
Mackenzie Harvey
Todd Murphy
Tanveer Sangha
Liam Scott
Lachie Shaw
Tom Straker
Will Sutherland
Callum Vidler
Originally published as Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney headline Ashes audition ahead of Sheffield Shield season
